Summary Records of the 53rd and the 54th meetings of the Committee for Technical and Economic Studies on Nuclear Energy [NEA/NDC(2007)12, Item 5, para. 20 and NEA/NDC(2008)1] and document [NEA/NDC(2007)4/REV1]

Mandate – Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics (WPNE) [NEA/NDC(2011)1]

Mandate extended: NDC 61st Meeting – Summary Record [NEA/NDC(2012)23]

Draft Summary Record of the 10th Meeting of the Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics (WPNE) [NEA/NDC(2013)31]

Draft Summary Record of the 62nd NDC Meeting [NEA/NDC(2013)29]

Mandate of the Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics (WPNE) [NEA/NDC(2014)5]

Fourth Mandate of the Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics (WPNE) [NEA/NDC(2016)22]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract of document NEA/NDC(2016)22

Mandate of the Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics (WPNE)

Generalobjectives

To collect and compile information and conduct analyses and assessments on all economic aspects of nuclear energy.

Mandate

1. To provide a forum for exchange of information between experts on all economic aspects of nuclear energy systems.

2. To carry out, on a periodic basis, studies on the economics of nuclear energy used for both electric and non-electric applications. This includes investment, O&M, and the fuel cycle (plant-level costs), the impacts on the electricity system at large (system costs), as well as the impacts on the wider environment, security of supply and society (external costs).

3. In co-operation with appropriate others (e.g. IEA and IAEA) examine the role of nuclear energy systems in liberalised and regulated electricity markets, including the impacts of changes in market regulation and energy policies.

4. To examine, on an Ad hoc basis, specific economic issues, such as capital costs of nuclear facilities and their financing, management and financing of liabilities (e.g. decommissioning, waste disposal), identification and valuation of externalities.

5. To develop methods and models for assessing the costs of nuclear energy systems including innovative reactors and fuel cycles.

Relations with the NDC

6. The NDC will identify activities to be conducted by the WPNE but will also expect the WPNE to provide its own proposals for potential topics to be included in the biennial programme of work.

7. All reports, publications and products of the WPNE will be reviewed and approved by the NDC before being released.

8. The WPNE will report to the NDC on its progress and activities as requested, and at least on an annual basis.

Working methods and deliverables

The WPNE will meet periodically, usually twice a year, and organise workshops or symposia on economic aspects of nuclear energy on an Ad hoc basis.

The tasks undertaken under the umbrella of the WPNE will lead to reports and studies on issues such as the economics of the fuel cycle, the financing of nuclear power plants and all other aspects that concern nuclear energy in a market environment.

Duration of mandate

The new mandate will run from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2019 in line with the rhythm of the programme of work of the NDC. The mandate of the WPNE is renewable subject to the agreement of the NEA Steering Committee and the NDC.